Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Leganes - Copa del Rey

Real Madrid's Copa del Rey quarter-final against Leganes arrives at an inopportune time.

With their biggest domestic fixture of the campaign on the horizon, Carlo Ancelotti could've done with the week off after seeing his side somehow lose 1-0 at Espanyol on Saturday. The La Liga leaders were thwarted by Joan Garcia between the sticks time and time again before succumbing to a sucker punch late on.

Their lead at the summit has been trimmed to a point before they host the Madrid derby this weekend.

Wednesday's cup tie does at least give Madrid the chance to return to winning ways ahead of Atleti's visit. With multiple absences already confirmed, here's the team Ancelotti could pick for this quarter-final.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Leganes (4-2-3-1)

GK: Andriy Lunin - Lunin has started Madrid's opening two fixtures in this competition, and he should keep his place in the domestic cup XI on Wednesday with Thibaut Courtois preserved for the weekend.

RB: Lucas Vazquez - Ancelotti has tinkered at right-back in recent weeks, but Madrid's injuries mean the Italian won't be getting too creative on Wednesday. Veteran Vazquez should get the start in Leganes.

CB: Raul Asencio - The young defender has impressed at the start of his senior career and is poised to enjoy a run in the team with Antonio Rudiger sidelined with a hamstring injury.

CB: Aurelien Tchouameni - David Alaba's also out, meaning Madrid are without their three senior centre-halves. Tchouameni's a sure bet to continue at the heart of Ancelotti's defence as a result.

LB: Ferland Mendy - Fran Garcia and Mendy have shared the minutes as of late, with the latter failing to take the field at the weekend. The Frenchman's likely to be rotated in as a result, and he should start against Atleti, too.

CM: Luka Modric - The veteran still has a big role to play this term and he's started both Copa del Rey outings. Modric was a second half substitute at the weekend.

CM: Federico Valverde - Madrid's utility man has a major role to play in what's bound to be a bitty affair on Saturday, so Ancelotti won't want to force another 90 minutes down his throat here. Expect Dani Ceballos to share his minutes.

RM: Brahim Diaz - The spritely playmaker generally leaves a mark when he's given a chance, although starts have arrived few and far between this term. Brahim's a shoo-in on Wednesday, though.

AM: Arda Guler - We rarely get to see Guler and Brahim operate in tandem, not from the outset of matches anyway. This should be a collector's item. The young Turkish creator has four Copa del Rey goal contributions this season.

LM: Rodrygo - The Brazilian was part of a profligate Madrid showing at the weekend and came ever so close to breaking the deadlock before Espanyol struck late on. With the visitors bereft of a couple heavy hitters, Rodrygo could get a start down the left.

ST: Vinicius Junior - Ancelotti confirmed Kylian Mbappe's absence in midweek, so we should see Vini Jr lead Madrid's line given that the club failed to replace Joselu in the summer.

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